BabylonSTORIES

In this episode, we speak to Nicola Malan, our energetic and inspired Head of Product Development and Buying, about the trials, triumphs and fine-tuning involved in creating products that capture the essence of Babylonstoren. More than a garden and an unforgettable experience, Babylonstoren is known for its beautifully considered products – from farm-fresh produce and botanical bath, body and home fragrances to luxurious linens, homeware, delicious nibbles and serious steaks. The list, happily, goes on. It is riveting to listen to, but this is one you may want to watch too, as Nicola shares a selection of milestones from her ongoing search for excellence. With free delivery nationwide, it really is the only way to gift... 

The latest instalment of BabylonSTORIES features executive chef Schalk Vlok in conversation from the kitchen of the 19th-century farmhouse at Soetmelksvlei. It is a fitting setting for a chef whose cooking is rooted in time-honoured classics and shaped by the fresh abundance of the farm’s fields, orchards, gardens and animals.Schalk is happiest away from the spotlight - surrounded by loved ones, watching the sun go down, with roosterkoek hot from the coals. BabylonSTORIES is available on the Babylonstoren App, Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.LISTEN NOW https://www.youtube.com/@Babylonstoren

Babylonstoren’s museologist, Elsa Vogts, joins us in the House of Shadows for the latest instalment of BabylonSTORIES. Elsa is responsible for the visitor experience at each of the farm’s museums - the Story of Wine, Soetmelksvlei and the Byzantium.   Ever wondered what a museologist does? In this episode, Elsa discusses her passion for sensory storytelling and shares insights into the creative practices that can help visitors learn by tickling the senses. You’ll also gain fascinating insights into the museum experiences at our sister estates, including The Newt in Somerset and The Story of Emily.  

In this third instalment of BabylonSTORIES, we share a conversation with Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld, renowned horticulturalist, succulent guru and eternal gardener. Ernst spent 42 years at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, where he planted and curated the Botanical Society Conservatory before joining Babylonstoren on his retirement in 2015.Today we visit him in the Succulent House to discuss the unique beauty of this resilient corner of the farm. Under his guidance and expertise, the Succulent House is home to almost 3500 species that reflect the incredible diversity found in South Africa. He imparts some of his vast knowledge about gardening and plants, along with his gardening philosophy, which have inspired a generation of gardening enthusiasts.

In our second episode of BabylonSTORIES, we talk with Constance Stuurman, floral artist, gardening guru and a true force of nature at Babylonstoren. Affectionately known as Connie, she is instantly recognisable for her unmistakable presence, boundless energy and a Tina Turner-like spirit. Connie has become legendary for her daily garden tours, spontaneous farm walks and the joyful way she shares her knowledge.Raised on the wisdom of her granny Angelina and great-grandmother Anna - who lived to the remarkable ages of 101 and 113 - Constance carries a deep reverence for traditional Khoi healing herbs. She speaks about the five superherbs behind her immunity-boosting brew, grown in the Healing Garden, and about a life shaped by plants, ancestral knowledge and creativity. From expressive floral arrangements to hands-on workshops, Connie’s work reflects an unshakeable belief in nature’s power to heal, teach, create and inspire.

In our first episode of BabylonSTORIES, we sit down for a buzzing conversation with Arné Stander, resident beekeeper at the newly launched Byzantium, and an entomologist and conservation ecologist by training. Arné brings a rare blend of scientific insight, deep care for the natural world, and a gentle charm that makes every encounter with him feel like a sweet treat.Join us as he shares the hidden rhythms of the hives, the craft behind caring for bees at Byzantium, and why these tiny pollinators matter more than ever.